Arnicare® Gel is a Safe Sports Pain Reliever for Athletes
Newtown Square, Pa.—Athletes and fitness buffs concerned with the ingredients in over-the-counter topical sports pain relievers can rely on Boiron’s unscented Arnicare Gel for natural and safe relief of their muscle pain and stiffness.
Arnicare Gel does not contain methyl salicylate or camphor, common ingredients found in many sports creams, which can be toxic in large doses. The active ingredient in Boiron’s homeopathic gel is Arnica montana, also known as the Mountain daisy, a perennial plant commonly found in the northwestern United States and Central Europe. Arnica has been used for centuries as a natural pain reliever. Today, doctors and pharmacists worldwide recommend Arnica.
Arnicare Gel contains 7 percent Arnica tincture, a concentration that will not trigger side effects, but will relieve pain from trauma or muscle overexertion, as well as swelling and bruising.
Studies have shown that helenalin and dihydrohelenalin are active at very low concentrations.1-2 Studies have also shown that a small fraction of these compounds are present in the skin layers when Arnicare topicals are applied to undamaged skin.3-4
The body’s absorption of the active ingredient in any topical formula is influenced by many factors such as frequency of application, size of the application area, thickness of skin area, and whether skin is damaged, irritated, red or hot. These factors can increase the rate of absorption and, therefore, the risk of toxicity, according to Christophe Merville, D. Pharm., director of education and pharmacy development at Boiron.
“As with all topical medicines, you have to review the drug facts on the packaging and take caution not to apply too frequently or too extensively on areas of the body,” says Dr. Merville. “Applying a thin layer of Boiron’s Arnicare Gel on the affected area three times a day is enough to provide adequate relief of muscle aches, stiffness and bruising. If you seek relief from general aches or pains all over your body, then I would recommend taking Arnica in pellet form for a systemic effect.”
Arnicare Gel is manufactured according to the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States (HPUS) and drug Good Manufacturing Practices.
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About Boiron: Boiron, world leader in homeopathic medicines, is a $730 million public company with 4,000 employees in more than 80 countries. It is best known for its top-selling flu medicine, Oscillococcinum®, its Chestal® cough syrup, and its Arnicare® line of pain relievers. For nearly 80 years, Boiron has been committed to funding scientific research and educating the public and healthcare professionals on homeopathic medicines. As a pharmaceutical company, Boiron maintains the highest standards in manufacturing, complying with U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations, the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States and drug Good Manufacturing Practices.
References
- Lyss G. Schmidt TJ, Merfort I, Pahl HL. Helenalin: an anti-inflammatory sesquiterpene lactone from Arnica selectively inhibits transcription factor NF-kappaB. Boil. Chem. 1997:378:951-61.
- Merfort, I. Arnica: New Insights on the Molecular Mode of Action of a Traditional Medicinal Plant (Translated from German). Forsch Komplementärmed Klass Naturheilkd. 2003:10 (suppl 1): 45-48.
- Wagner S., Merfort, I. Skin penetration behaviour of sesquiterpene lactones from different. Arnica preparations using a validated GC-MSD method. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis 43. 2007:32-38.
- Tekko I.A., et al. Permeation of bioactive constituents from Arnica montana preparations through human skin in-vitro. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. 2006:58:1167-1176.
